Positive registration labeling gun

ABSTRACT

A labeling device of the type having a housing, tape, and a stamp to imprint the tape. Means for unidirectionally advancing the tape are provided as well as means for activating the advancing means. The activating means prevents the advancing means from being reactivated until the advancing means has been advanced a selected distance.

United States Patent [1 1 Carboni, Jr. et a1.

[ POSITIVE REGISTRATION LABELING GUN [75] Inventors: Victor B. Carboni,Jr., San Mateo;

Paul Harrison, Santa Barbara, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation,

Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 332,351

Related U.S. Application Data (63] Continuation of Ser. No. 246,894,April 24, 1972,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 101/288, 156/384 (51] Int. Cl. 1341f 3/18, B41f 19/00,B4lf 1/08 [58] Field of Search 101/288, 292; 156/384, 577

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,567,969 9/1951 Salit et a1101/288 X 1 Jan. 1, 1974 2,689,525 9/1954 Anker et a1 101/292 3,330,2077/1967 DeMan 101/288 X 3,343,485 9/1967 Loeffler 101/288 3,420,1721/1969 Kaplan 156/384 X 3,447,992 6/1969 Allen et a1. 156/384 X3,611,929 10/1971 Schrotz 101/292 3,686,055 8/1972 Hermann 156/384Primary ExaminerEdgar S. Burr Attorney-Jordan B. Bierman et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A labeling device of the type having a housing, tape, anda stamp to imprint the tape. Means for unidirectionally advancing thetape are provided as well as means for activating the advancing means.The activating means prevents the advancing 1 means from beingreactivated until the advancing means has been advanced a selecteddistance.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure POSITIVE REGISTRATION LABELING GUN Thisapplication is a continuation of Ser. No. 246,894, filed Apr. 24, 1972,now abandoned.

This invention relates to labeling machines and more particularly to anovel mechanism for preventing tape jamming.

In a conventional tape labeler, the tape is inserted within a housingand threaded so that it may move in response to the depression of atrigger. One ormore sprockets are generally provided for engagingperforated edges provided on the tape, the tape being moved by rotatingthe sprocket. This can be done directly by the trigger or through one ormore associated gears or other devices to transfer the motion of thetrigger to the sprocket.

As the tape is moved, a printing stamp is pressed against the tape toprint a desired indicia on the tape. The tape is then moved out of thedevice, is cut and then either applied to a surface through the mediumof an adhesive backing or utilized without adhesive.

However, since the movement of the tape is completely responsive to themovement of the trigger and since in conventional units the trigger canbe partially depressed and then released, the tape tends to clog and jamdue to this forward and backward motion.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided foradvancing the tape in response to the movement of an activator. Theapparatus for advancing the tape permits tape movement in one directiononly. For best results, the activator is prevented from reversingdirection once activatioh has begun and until the tape has advanced aselected degree.

To prevent cyclical movement of the tape, means for engaging the triggerto prevent return motion thereof is provided along with means forpermitting return motion of the trigger only after a selected amount oftape has been dispensed.

Now turning to the drawing which depicts a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention:

The FIGURE is a side cutaway view of the labeling device.

The drawing shows the internal mechanism of the labeling device. Housingis provided with an axle 14 to accept a spool 16 of tape 18. Tape 18consists of two portions, a label portion 17 on which symbols will beimprinted and a backing portion 19 to provide structural support. Thetape 18 is provided with a series of perforations (not shown) along itsedge.

Feed wheel 20 has teeth 22 mounted on its external surface for engagingthe perforations along the edge of the tape. Tape guide 24 is heldagainst the feed wheel 20 by means of spring arm 26 and is provided witha groove (not shown) to clear teeth 22 while holding backing portion 19of tape 18 against the drive wheel 20.

The tape is threaded past guide bar 27 be depressing the bar to pivotaway from member 29, past label separator 23 and onto guide wheel 20.The tape is placed under the tape guide 24 by depressing the front edgeof the tape guide 24 away from the wheel 20 and the end of the tape isinserted between the guide and the wheel. Guide 24 is then released andreturns to its normal position by the urging of spring arm 26. Aspring-loaded stripper has fingers above and below the feed wheel teethto insure separation of the backing from the device wheel.

Housing 10 is provided with trigger 28 at the upper end of the handleportion 12. Trigger 28 is slidably mounted in the housing so that it canbe depressed to advance fly wheel 20 and, therefore, the tape. Trigger28 is in communication with member 30 by means of pin 31 which extendsthrough trigger 28 and the lower portion of member 30. Member 30 ispivoted about shaft 32 in response to the movement of trigger 28.

Protrusion 34 is provided on member 30 in engagement with pawl 36. Pawl36, therefore, moves in accordance with the movement of protrusion 34.

The feed wheel 20 is internally ratcheted such that wheel 20 may beengaged by pawl 36 and, therefore, rotated when the pawl 36 is moved inthe counterclockwise direction. Member 30, pawl 36 and feed wheel 20 allrotate about shaft 32. Pawl 36 is manufactured of flexible materialwhich permits it to act as its own spring as its tip is travelling upthe ratchet inclination when it is moving in the clockwise direction andnot engaging wheel 20.

In order to insure proper positioning of the tip of pawl 36 upon thereturn of the pawl to engage the next successive ratcheted surface onthe internal portion of wheel 20, it is necessary that the tip of pawl36 travel at least the length of one ratchet surface and preferably aslightly greater distance in order to insure engagement of the wheel 20each and every time member 30 is returned to its original position.

One way to accomplish this result is to maintain the distance betweenshaft 32 and protrusion 34 equal to and preferably less than thedistance from shaft 32 to the tip of pawl 36. Under these conditions theangles through which protrusion 34 and the tip of pawl 36 are rotatedwill be equal; however, the arc length through which each is moved willbe different. The ratio of the arc length will be dependent upon theratio of the distances from shaft 32, which is the axis of rotation.

A preferred way of accomplishing this result is shown in the drawing.Wheel 20 and member 30 rotate about shaft 32, but pawl 36 rotates abouta center located generally between protuberance 34 and the center ofshaft 32. This produces a greater angular rotation of pawl 36 than ofwheel 20.

Thus, if the distance from shaft 32 to the tip of pawl 36 is calculatedcorrectly, the tip will move through an arc length slightly greater thanthe length of an individual ratchet surface even though the actualdisplacement of protrusion 34 is substantially smaller. This enables thedevice to operate without jamming and also permits the use of acomparatively short stroke of trigger 28.

This mechanical arrangement will insure the return of the tip of pawl 36to a position slightly behind the next successive ratchet tooth upon thereturn of trigger 28 to its original position. Therefore, as long as thetrigger is returned to its original position after complete depressionand not after only partial depression, the wheel 20 will be engagedevery time and no tape jamming can possibly occur. Means provided toprevent partial depression of the trigger are described below.

In operation, trigger 28 is depressed, pivoting member 30 such thatprotrusion 34 communicates with pawl 36 to rotate pawl 36 in thecounter-clockwise direction. Because of the internal ratcheting of feedwheel 20, the wheel is advanced in the counter-clockwise direction, thusadvancing 'the'tape. Once the trigger has been fully depressed, it isreturned to its initial position which pivots the member 30 and movespawl 36 in the clockwise direction. Clockwise movement of pawl 36 doesnot engage the ratchet on the internal surface of feed wheel 20, butbecause of the flexible characteristics of pawl 36, the pawl moves to aposition at which the next successive ratchet portion is engaged.

As the tape is advanced in accordance with the description set forthabove, member 30 contacts stamp 38 and pivots it about pin 40 and tocommunicate with tape 18 to print the desired symbols thereon. Stamp 38is a conventional stamp and can be adjustable to permit variation of thesymbols to be imprinted, if desired.

After imprinting, the tape 18 passes over label separator 23 where thelabel portion is separated from the backing portion. The label portionis ejected from the device at this point and the backing portion returnspast guide 21 to wheel 20 wherefrom it is eventually separated bystripper 25 and discarded.

in accordance with the present invention, the trigger 28 is providedwith a series of indentations 42 and an opening 44 located on the loweredge. In addition, pawl 46, having a head portion 48 and a tail portion50, is provided to prevent the trigger from reversing direction oncedepression has begun and until the trigger has been completelydepressed. As trigger 28 is depressed, head portion 48 communicates withindentation 42 to pivot the pawl 46 in the clockwise direction, and head48 is moved to position in which it does not prevent the depressing ofthe trigger. In this position tail 50 is in communication with bar 52provided in handle 12 to limit the rotation of pawl 46. Due to theflexibility of pawl 46, the head portion 48 rides over actuating faces45 and does not interfere with the depression of the trigger. However,should the trigger 28 reverse direction, the pawl 46 will be preventedfrom rotating counter-clockwise because there is insufficient spacebetween the pivot of pawl 46 and the bottom of indentation 42. Thus,head 48 is disengaging from disengging the indentation 42 in which it islocated. Therefore, trigger 28 is capable of moving only in onedirection towards the handle and this motion cannot be reversed untilthe depression is completed.

Upon completion of the depression of trigger 28, head portion 48 restsin opening 44 and is rotatable to a position which does not prevent thetrigger return. The trigger can then be returned to its originalposition by means of spring 56 which is compressed during the depressionof the trigger.

On the return stroke, head portion 48 assumes the position shown inlines in the drawing with tail 50 bearing resiliently against bar 54. Inthis position the fiexibility of tail 50 permits head portion 48 to rideover return bars 43 of indentations 42 as trigger 28 returns to itsstarting position. Any attempt to depress trigger 28 before it reachesthe end of its return stroke will be prevented. Pawl 46 will engage oneof indentations 42 and be prevented from rotating because there isinsufficient space between the pivot point of pawl 46 and head portion48. 1

When trigger 28 has returned to its fully extended position, headportion 48 is clear of the restraint of indentations 42 and it can thenrotate into the position shown in dotted lines. This allows the cycle tobe repeated.

It is to be understood that modifications may be made which are notspecifically described herein, but which will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications whichfall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theappended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means forimprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tapein one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internalratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a firstpawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect tosaid wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawlengages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein saidfirst pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means formoving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: apivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a firstposition and a second position, movement of said activator causing saidmember to pivot, a protrusion on said member in engagement with saidpawl such that said first pawl moves in accordance with the movement ofsaid protrusion, the first distance between said protrusion and thepivot of said member being not greater than the second distance from theaxis of rotation of said pawl to said tip.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising means for preventingsaid activator from moving towards said first position after movementtowards said second position has begun and before said movement iscompleted.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the third distance between saidprotrusion and said axis of rotation is not greater than said firstdistance.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first distance is lessthan said second distance.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein said third distance is lessthan said first distance.

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a second pawl havinga head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between 'iaid headand said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of saidactivator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and areturn face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating positionand a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against theactuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance betweensaid point and said indentations being less than the radial distancebetween said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations,an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depththat the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equalto said radial distance whereby during motion from said first positiontoward said second position, said activator is prevented from returnmotion toward said first position until said activator has reached saidsecond position.

7. A device according to claim 6 further comprising said second pawlyieldably bearing against said return faces when in said returnposition, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size anddepth that the clearance between said point and said space is at leastequal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said secondposition toward said first position, said activator is prevented frommotion toward said second position until said activator has reached saidfirst position.

8. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means forimprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tapein one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internalratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a firstpawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect tosaid wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawlengages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein saidfirst pawl engagesthe next successive ratchet tooth; and means formoving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: apivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a firstposition and a second position, movement of said activator causing saidmember to pivot, a second pawl having a head and a tail and beingrotatable about a point be tween said head and said tail, a plurality ofindentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentationshaving an actuating face and a return fac said second pawl rotatablebetween an actuating posiiion and a return position, said second pawlyieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuatingposition, but clearance between said point and said indentations beingless than the radial distance between said point and the end of saidhead nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of saidactivator of such size and depth that the clearance between said pointand said opening is at least equal to said radial distance wherebyduring motion from said first position toward said second position, saidactivator is prevented from return motion toward said first positionuntil said activator has reached said second position.

9. A device according to claim 8 further comprising said second pawlyieldably bearing against said return faces when in said returnposition, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size anddepth that the clearance between said point and said space is at leastequal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said secondposition toward said first position, said activator is prevented frommotion toward said second position until said activator has reached saidfirst position.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable feed wheel isprovided with teeth on its exterior surface, said tape having aplurality of openings therein for engagement by said exterior surfaceteeth.

1. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means forimprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tapein one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internalratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a firstpawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect tosaid wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawlengages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein saidfirst pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means formoving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: apivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a firstposition and a second position, movement of said activator causing saidmember to pivot, a protrusion on said member in engagement with saidpawl such that said first pawl moves in accordance with the movement ofsaid protrusion, the first distance between said protrusion and thepivot of said member being not greater than the second distance from theaxis of rotation of said pawl to said tip.
 2. A device according toclaim 1 further comprising means for preventing said activator frommoving towards said first position after movement towards said secondposition has begun and before said movement is completed.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the third distance between said protrusionand said axis of rotation is not greater than said first distance.
 4. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein said first distance is less thansaid second distance.
 5. A device according to claim 3 wherein saidthird distance is less than said first distance.
 6. A device accordingto claim 1 further comprising a second pawl having a head and a tail andbeing rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, aplurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of saidindentations having an actuating face and a return face, said secondpawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, saidsecond pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in saidactuating position, the clearance between said point and saidindentations being less than the radial distance between said point andthe end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at theforward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearancebetween said point and said opening is at least equal to said radialdistance whereby during motion from said first position toward saidsecond position, said activator is prevented from return motion towardsaid first position until said activator has reached said secondposition.
 7. A device according to claim 6 further comprising saidsecond pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in saidreturn position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of suchsize and depth that the clearance between said point and said space isat least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from saidsecond position toward said first position, said activator is preventedfrom motion toward said second position until said activator has reachedsaid first position.
 8. A labeling device having a supply roll of tapeand a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means foradvancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feedwheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted togrip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl beingmovable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which atip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a secondposition wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchettooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and secondpositions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activatormovable between a first position and a second position, movement of saidactivator causing said member to pivot, a second pawl having a head anda tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and saidtail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each ofsaid indentations having an actuating face and a return face, saidsecond pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a returnposition, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faceswhen in said actuating position, the clearance between said point andsaid indentations being less than the radial distance between said pointand the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at theforward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearancebetween said point and said opening is at least equal to said radialdistance whereby during motion from said first position toward saidsecond position, said activator is prevented from return motion towardsaid first position until said activator has reached said secondposition.
 9. A device according to claim 8 further comprising saidsecond pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in saidreturn position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of suchsize and depth that the clearance between said point and said space isat least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from saidsecond position toward said first position, said activator is preventedfrom motion toward said second position until said activator has reachedsaid first position.
 10. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidrotatable feed wheel is provided with teeth on its exterior surface,said tape having a plurality of openings therein for engagement by saidexterior surface teeth.